What does confidentiality refer to in information security?

Confidentiality in information security is fundamentally about ensuring that sensitive data is accessible only to those individuals who are authorized to view it. This helps protect the data from unauthorized access, thus maintaining its privacy and integrity. By holding information in confidence, organizations can ensure that only those with the necessary permissions can access specific information, which is crucial for safeguarding sensitive personal, financial, or organizational data.

The other options, while related to data security, do not adequately capture the essence of confidentiality. For instance, accessing data only from secure locations pertains to the security of the access method rather than the concept of confidentiality itself. Keeping information secret from all users misrepresents confidentiality, as it suggests that no one should have access, contradicting the idea that authorized users can access confidential information. Distributing information freely to promote transparency directly opposes confidentiality by suggesting that sensitive data should be widely shared, which could jeopardize its security.